Breech-loading ordnance.



A. T. DAWSON AND s. T. BUCKHAM.

BREECH LOADING OHDNANCE.

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A. T. DAWSON AND G. T. BUCKHAM.

BREECH LOADING ORDNANCE. APPueMloN Flu-:D APR. 15. 191s.

Patented May 6, 1919.

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ARTHR TREVOR DAWSON AND GEORGE THOMAS BUCKHAIVI, OF WESTMINSTER, -LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNORS T VICKERS LIMITED, OF WESTMINSTER,

LONDON, ENGLAND.

England, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in or Relating to Breecl1-Loading Ordnance, of which the foll lowing' is a specificati on.

This invention relates to breech loading j ordnance.

According to this invention the breech mechanism of the gun is inclosed by a cylinv drical or other suitably shaped cover which .is detachably `held in place on the gun in a watertight manner by suitable means; for

example by an angularly displaceable ring f cooperating with a shoulder or flange on the gun. This ring may have projections which enter cani grooves formed in the periphery sof the shoulder or flange, and may be rotatably connected to the cover.

It may be found dilicult, especially if the cover has remained in position on the gun for some time, to unlock the ring merely by a handle provided for this purpose; we therefore provide means for exerting a powf erful initial unlocking movement on the ring. These means may comprise a tangentially arranged screw threaded bolt or the like interposed between the ring and a projection on the gun and adapted to be actuated by a lever or other device for enabling the necessary power to be exerted thereon.

lIn order that the said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried into effect, we will describe the same more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figures 1 and 2 are respectively a rea-r elevation and a side elevation showing a constructional form of the watertight cover in position on the-gun.

Fig. 3 is a section taken approximately on the line 1, 1 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is a view showing the formation of one of the cam grooves in the flange of the gun.

A is the breech end of the gun, A the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led April 15, 1915.

BREECH-LOADING- ORDNANCE.

Patented May 6, 1919.

Serial No. 21,623,

breech actuating hand lever, and A2 the aforesaid shoulder or flange on the gun. B represents the aforesaid cover, C represents the aforesaid ring and C its operating handle. C2, C2, C2 represent the projections on the ring and a2, a2, ai their cooperating cam grooves in the flange A2.

In the example shown the rear face of the flange is formed with an annular rib or rounded projection a3 with which a packing ring c carried byk the cover coperates in order to form a watertight joint. The front portion of the cover lits over a cylindrical part a of the breech end of the gun.

The ring C is rotatably connected to the cover by means of screw threaded studs (one of which is indicated by the reference letter c in Fig. 2) carried by the ring` and engaging in a circumferential groove b formed in the cover.

Vhen applying the cover to the breech mechanism the projections C2 on the ring C are first passed through the ope-n ends atc (Fig. 4) of the cam grooves a2 and the rin is then angularly displaced by its handle to cause the projection C2 to enter the cam grooves a2. The cooperation of these parts causes the packing ring c to be pressed forcibly against the rib or projection a3 and a watertight joint to be thereby made.

The handle C is pivoted to a bracket C3 on the ring C and is held in its operative or radial position or in its inoperative or tangential osition, by the engagement of a removab e pin c2 with one or other of two holes in the bracket. Fig. 1 shows by full lines the inoperative position and by chain lines the operative position of this handle. The chain line position of `the bracket C3 is that assumed by it when the ring C is unlocked.

D represents the aforesaid screw threaded bolt for enabling the initial unlocking movement of the ring C to be performed when necessary. This bol't is carried by the ring and coperates with a projection or stop Ax (Fig. l) on the gun so that by actuating this bolt the ring can be forcibly moved in the direction to unlock it.

The rear end of the cover B is provided with a hollow boss B which has a transverse bar b serving as a hand grip to facilitate i the placing of the cover in position and its removal. y

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is Y l.v In breech -loading ordnance, the combination of a single rigid cover for inclosing the whole of the breech mechanism and the firing mechanism and means for detachably connecting said cover in a watertight manner on the breech end of the gun.

2. In breech loading ordnance, the combination of a shoulder von the gun, a single rigid cover for inclosing the whole of the breech mechanism and the iring mechanism and means for holding said cover against said shoulder in ya watertight manner. A

3. In breech loading ordnance, the comb-ination of a shoulder on the gun, a cover for inclosing the breechmechanism, a ring rotataibly carried by said cover and meansl whereby angular movement of said ring presses said cover against said yshoulder in a watertight manner.

4. In breech loading ordnance', the combination of a shoulder on the gun, a cover for inclosing the breech mechanism, a ring rotatably carried by said cover, and a bayo- Copes of this patent may be obtained for net joint connection between said ring and the breech end of the gun and serving when .v said ring is displaced to press the cover against the shoulder in a watertight manner.

y '5. In breech loading ordnance, the com-` bination of a shoulder on the gun, a cover for inclosing the breechv mechanism, a: ring rotatablyr carried b-y said ycover for pressing the coverv in a vwatertight manner against.

said shoulder and means for exerting a powerful initial unlocking movement on said.

cover in` a `watertight manner against said 1 g 6. In breech loading ordnance, the combi-- shoulder, a projection on'the gun and a screw threaded member interposed betweenv said projection andthe ringuf` In testimony whereof we afix our signa-y tures 1n the presence of two witnesses.

ARTHUR VTRiavoR Dawson.' GEORGE THOMAS BUoKiiA-M.

Witnesses: 4 HENRYKING,v

rvJNogR. CAswELL..

ve cents each, by addressing Ihe Gmmissioner of Patents,- Wasliington, DA1.y i Y 

